The New England Patriots are on the verge of adding a seasoned football mind to their front office, as reports from 247Sports and various outlets indicate the impending hiring of Alonzo Highsmith, the current general manager of the Miami Hurricanes.
Highsmith, a former fullback for the Hurricanes during the illustrious tenure of coach Jimmy Johnson, has spent the last two years deeply involved in the day-to-day operations of his alma mater’s football program.
During his tenure at Miami, Highsmith collaborated closely with head coach Mario Cristobal, joining the Hurricanes’ staff just five months into Cristobal’s tenure. His responsibilities encompassed a wide array of tasks, including assessments of potential transfers and the meticulous management of the team’s roster.
Highsmith’s journey to this pivotal role with the Patriots’ front office has been marked by a decade-long immersion in various capacities within NFL organizations.
He notably served as a senior personnel executive with the Green Bay Packers from 2012 to 2017, leveraging that experience to assume the position of vice president of player personnel with the Cleveland Browns in 2018.
Subsequently, he contributed to the Seattle Seahawks’ personnel department from 2020 to 2022.
Before transitioning to the realm of front office operations, Highsmith carved out an impressive playing career at the University of Miami, playing a pivotal role in the Hurricanes’ Golden Era during the 1980s.
His collegiate achievements include clinching a national championship as a freshman in 1983 and being part of multiple teams that notched double-digit wins.
His on-field prowess is reflected in his career statistics, which include 1,914 rushing yards (ranking second in program history) and 25 career touchdowns (tied for first in Miami’s annals).
Highsmith’s talents were recognized at the professional level when he was selected by the Houston Oilers with the third overall pick in the 1987 NFL Draft. Over seven seasons in the league, he showcased his skills before retiring from playing.
In acknowledgment of his contributions to the University of Miami’s football legacy, he was rightfully inducted into the university’s Sports Hall of Fame in 1997.
